The app uses both simplified and traditional Chinese characters and is now available for free at the iTunes store. It works with the iPhone, the iPod Touch and the iPad, for users that have iOS 4.0 or later.

With the new app, users can access VOA Chinese video, text and audio content, including podcasts and blogs. The app also lets users bookmark VOA articles or create video and audio playlists.

VOA’s East Asia and Pacific Division Director William Baum describes the app as a “true multimedia tool, which makes VOA Mandarin and Cantonese language programs available on a platform that is growing in popularity.”

Smartphone use in China has exploded in recent years and the new iPhone app is one of many tools Voice of America has developed for its Chinese speaking audience.

Earlier this year, VOA rolled out another iPhone app for Chinese speakers who want to learn American English. The goEnglish.meapp lets users practice to improve their English speaking skills, become more familiar with American culture, and interact with other native speakers of Chinese who want to improve their American English conversation skills.

VOA’s Chinese Services are broadcast on radio, television, mobile devices and through the Internet to Mandarin and Cantonese speaking audiences in China, Taiwan, Singapore, Australia, Indonesia and other Mandarin speaking areas of East and Southeast Asia. VOA Chinese programs are also available through proxies and portal sites to circumvent Chinese government censorship.